Annotations provide additional information about the references in your paper. In some situations, a professor may ask for an annotated bibliography before you start writing your first draft.
Adding an Annotation
Papers created after July 28, 2026
- Add the references your paper needs.
- Right-click the reference you want to annotate.
Do this in the actual paper, not in the side panel. - Choose Add Annotation.
Papers created before July 28, 2026
- Add the references your paper needs.
- Click References in the menu bar.
It's located at the top of the Editor, above the large icons. - Click Add annotations in the menu.
PERRLA adds a text area under the reference where you can type your annotation. You can add citations within your annotation just like you would in the body of your paper.
When you download or print your paper, the annotations are formatted for you. Any empty annotation fields are left out of your final paper.